Washington @ Green Bay: What to Look For

After a tough loss at San Francisco to open the season, the Packers look to rebound and avoid an 0-2 start. According to NFL.com, only 11.6% of teams that started 0-2 have qualified for the postseason since the playoff expansion of 1990. Fortunately, the visiting Washington football club find themselves in the same position, having failed to recover from a slow start against the Philadelphia Eagles and dropping to 0-1.

This is the Packers home opener. Thanks to a recently completed renovation, Lambeau Field has given birth to 7,000 new seats in the south end zone. The excitement will be palpable.

Here are a few key points to keep track of throughout this game.

RGIII: Coming off a devastating knee injury, the young Washington quarterback looks rusty and a long way from 100%. That said, Robert Griffin III is a qualified passer and decision maker. Pegged as a 'read-option quarterback,' it's unlikely we'll see a single option snap in light of his ongoing knee rehab. Last week against the Eagles, RGIII started slow and wasn't leveraging his lower body in the passing game. He wasn't stepping into his throws. As the second half wore on, however, he appeared to become more comfortable, and his throws more accurate. The Packers would be wise to plan for and expect the RGIII from the second half of last week's game rather than the first. Robert Griffin III  will look to expose Green Bay's young secondary, specifically M.D. Jennings, Jerron McMillian, and Micah Hyde. All three were guilty last week of allowing Anquan Boldin to have his way with the middle of the field—he accounted for over 200 yards of offense for the 49ers. Morgan Burnett would help bolster the secondary, but his status will likely be a game-time decision as he works his way back from a hammy.

Alfred Morris: The second year running back for Washington is coming off a disappointing opener—45 yards on 12 carries—but that's no reason to sleep on the crafty rusher. Alfred Morris exploded onto the NFL stage last year, logging 1,613 rushing yards in his rookie campaign. He's Washington's primary ball-carrier, and should see at least 20 touches unless the Packers build an early lead. The Packers unveiled an improved run defense last week in San Francisco, holding the powerful Frank Gore and gazelle-like Colin Kaepernick to just 90 total rushing yards on 34 attempts.  Morris represents another early test for the Packers, who appear to be taking on DE Johnny Jolly's on-field persona and playing with an edge.

Orakpo and Kerrigan: Washington boasts not one but two top-end linebackers in Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan. The tandem has notched 26 total sacks in the last 2 seasons combined, and that's with Orakpo missing all but two games in 2012 with a pectoral tear. That injury appears not to be fully healed, as Orakpo looked apprehensive at times last week in Philadelphia. He's still an elite athlete, and combined with Kerrigan, they really don't surrender much in the middle of the field, and are quality pass rushers.

Sloppy Seconds: As poor as Green Bay's secondary looked at times last week, Washington may have it worse. DeAngelo Hall is their best corner, but he's over the hill and can be exposed. The safety tandem of E.J. Biggers and rookie Bacarri Rambo has to be among the leagues worst. In last weeks opener, they accounted for 6 missed tackles between them, and that's excluding the plays where they were beaten so badly there was no chance to even attempt a tackle. Certainly Green Bay quaterback Aaron Rodgers has to be licking his chops to feast on Washington's famine. If Rodgers can take advantage in the air and build an early lead, Washington will be forced to abandon the run and rely on their rusty quarterback and passable receivers—their wheels will fall off.

More from the Daily Dope Sheet:

• DDS Podcast, Episode One: 9.12.13 - Brian and Zach discuss the loss to the 49ers, Clay Matthews' clothesline, the upcoming game against Washington, and the phenomenon of the out-of-markert fan.

• Packers Humbled in Opener, fall 34-28: Some quick hits after the opening day loss to the 49ers.